CPAP vs APAP settings

[KittyMom22]

If the machine is set to "Autoset" and the pressure varies, that's actually APAP, correct? CPAP mode would just be one constant pressure level, right?

[Pugsy]

Correct.

[lazarus]

https://www.resmed.com/en-us/sleep-apne ... than-cpap/

[KittyMom22]

Thanks

[KittyMom22]

If APAP is prescribed at the start of therapy, do people usually get put on CPAP later (after a titration period) or do they stay on APAP? Or is it impossible to say?

[LSAT]

Whatever is most comfortable.

[lazarus]

Since pressure needs may vary during the night or from night to night, one common approach is to leave it in APAP mode but to set the minimum pressure to within one or two cm of what is usually needed to prevent apneas. This allows the best of all worlds for many users. Finding that most-comfortable-and-most-effective sweet spot is attainable most easily with use of software or by interpretation of the data provided on the screen.

On the other hand, most docs and DMEs hand out APAPs set wide open, 4 to 20, and then never customize the settings for comfort or for individualized and optimized treatment pressure(s) for any particular patient.

[SleepGeek]

If APAP is prescribed at the start of therapy, do people usually get put on CPAP later (after a titration period) or do they stay on APAP? Or is it impossible to say?

I think apap is more comfortable myself. Do you prefer cpap?

[KittyMom22]

I think apap is more comfortable myself. Do you prefer cpap?

No, I don't, I'm just curious because I thought I was being prescribed CPAP but realized it's not actually that. Someone said APAP is often used in place of a titation study, which I did not have, so I was just curious if people ever stay on APAP or if it's only used for titration purposes. I definitely think I would like CPAP full time less!

The only advantage I could see is not waking up with a higher pressure than what I fell asleep with. Perhaps if it stayed the same pressure I wouldn't wake up as much.

[KittyMom22]

Finding that most-comfortable-and-most-effective sweet spot is attainable most easily with use of software or by interpretation of the data provided on the screen.

This is my hope!

On the other hand, most docs and DMEs hand out APAPs set wide open, 4 to 20, and then never customize the settings for comfort or for individualized and optimized treatment pressure(s) for any particular patient.

Currently mine is 4 to 20 so I'll customize it myself if he doesn't.

[SleepGeek]

The only advantage I could see is not waking up with a higher pressure than what I fell asleep with. Perhaps if it stayed the same pressure I wouldn't wake up as much.

Believe it or not in time you won't even feel the pressure and will find yourself sticking your hand in front of the exhaust to see IF it's on.

Then you won't be able to sleep without it or want to sleep w/o it.

[KittyMom22]

I'm actually really concerned about becoming dependent on it. But that's another topic.

[lynninnj]

I don’t want to wear my glasses either but my quality of life without them would be horrendous.

But then, if I don’t wear them I won’t get pulmonary hypertension, heart attack, stroke, etc.

[SleepGeek]

I'm actually really concerned about becoming dependent on it. But that's another topic.

Are you dependent on O2? On breathing while awake?

Why not continue to breath while sleeping?

IMO untreated OSA leads to a slow miserable death not to mention alzheimer's.

Do you know anyone who has had a stroke?
How do they function with only one side of their body working?
Try that in the morning - brush your teeth, tie your shoes, put on your clothes, wipe your bottom - ALL with one hand.

[lazarus]

Along with depending on good healthy food and good healthy exercise and good healthy water and good healthy relationship choices, you will come to depend on good healthy sleep and good healthy breathing. And then you will hopefully enjoy all the benefits to your life so much that you will be deeply proud of all the good healthy choices you have made and will continue to be glad to benefit from in combination. And people will wonder what your secret is. And maybe you'll choose to tell them, and maybe you won't. But you'll laugh to yourself knowingly, because you'll know how you put the work in to learn the secret weapon for yourself that pulled it all together for you: optimized PAP therapy.

Mark my words, Ms. KittyMom22. Mark. My. Words.